Sixteen students from Trinity College School’s Commerce Society competed at the 45th annual Ontario DECA Provincials competition on February 9th-10th at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. Over 6,500 students who had qualified from regional competitions representing 264 chapters from across Ontario took over downtown Toronto.
The top regional competitors challenge each other at the provincial competition for a chance to earn a spot to the International Career Development Conference. The provincial competition was loaded with award ceremonies, sponsor showcases with a scavenger hunt and draws, and evening entertainment.
All students competing in the oral events wrote a 100 question multiple choice test on February 6th, except those assigned to the marketing cluster exam who wrote the morning of February 10th.
As well, four written papers were submitted by TCS students and teams; those students presented fully developed business proposals. These events are not for the faint-hearted! Following very specific guidelines, the written event competitors were evaluated on their pragmatism, evidence-based decision-making and attention to detail.
While in Toronto, the 16 students were even able to celebrate Lunar New Year with a celebration dinner enjoying hot pot at Haidilao. Many members were introduced to hot pot for the very first time. Students were also able to cap off the celebration with ice skating at Toronto's famous ice rink at Nathan Phillips Square.
Graham Dunkley and Arjun Sharma came away with medals! Graham received a medal for a top 15 written exam in the Principles of Business Management and Administration event. Arjun received a medal for being in the top 10 in the written Independent Business Plan entrepreneurship event.
Thank you to the TCS chapter advisor, Mr. Mao, for his support this year, and thank you to Mr. Jones for helping to chaperone the provincial competition.
- By Anna Dobrinski, Commerce Society club leader
